Chapter 132

#132 Episode: Tin Knight and the Golden Alchemist (2)

“There are many monsters in history. Some possess exceptional physical abilities, others have innate senses and skills. In the world, such individuals are called geniuses, and some are hailed as heroes. But here’s the thing—usually, it’s just that ‘individual’ who is particularly outstanding.”

Some sentences refuse to be understood by someone, regardless of their complexity.

Adel’s situation was exactly that.

However, the Witch seemed to take pleasure in cruelly confronting Adel with harsh realities, continuing to explain in a kind and gentle manner, as if unable to help herself.

“A child of a genius doesn’t necessarily have to be a genius themselves. A hero’s offspring doesn’t automatically become a hero. But what about the Lion Duke’s Bloodline? It has been nearly 200 years of generational change, yet the traits of that singular ancestor still manifest in the children. They were born this way. This bloodline inherently defines them.”

Adel was left dumbfounded.

Not human, but a homunculus.

If this got out to her colleagues…

‘…Huh? It doesn’t feel like it matters that much?’

Adel briefly recalled the profiles of her companions.

It was a party where a metal doll and a vampire stood proudly together.

Since she wasn’t a homunculus herself, she figured that if one of her far-off ancestors was non-human, it wouldn’t really raise an eyebrow.

Thinking that way, suddenly, peace washed over Adel.

“Then, who is the alchemist that created my ancestor?”

“…How did you suddenly become so composed?”

The West Witch reacted somewhat awkwardly to Adel’s calm question.

Perhaps disappointed that the expected anguish and despair didn’t return, she abandoned her previously kind tone and spoke coldly.

“That’s not something you need to concern yourself with. Also, isn’t it not the time to worry about such things right now?”

As the witch manipulated an apparatus on the lab wall, the experimental table that held Adel folded, adjusting her position to a seated one.

It was clear that this was not meant to make her comfortable.

After all, something was looming in the sky just outside the window in front of her.

There were golden monkeys with massive wings, holding Sophia in their grasp.

Adel almost forgot she was tied up as she nearly rushed towards the window. The folded experimental table shook with a clatter.

With an amused smile, the West Witch said, “Watch closely.”

As the witch signaled something, the golden monkeys in the sky reacted.

They grabbed Sophia’s limbs with brutish strength and unleashed their cruel violence.

As if to show off to Adel, pieces of Sophia’s body fell to the ground.

A massive caterpillar, with sharp teeth emerging from the forest, gulped down the remnants.

Adel couldn’t close her gaping mouth.

The West Witch menaced, “If you don’t want to end up as monster food like your colleague, you’d best not think about unnecessary rebellion.”

Adel hung her head in silence.

Perhaps interpreting her silence as despair, the witch left with a sinister chuckle.

It seemed she was merely here to observe the situation and had no immediate plans to ‘research’ her.

For Adel, it was somewhat of a relief.

She wouldn’t have to let her hidden expression beneath her hair be discovered.

***

After Dorothea’s transmutation magic scattered them, the first thing Franka did was hide.

This was a purely rational move.

The party could track each other’s locations thanks to Franka’s magic, and once she was caught, the golden thread bracelet she had made would lose its effect.

A gloomy, stinking necromancer would find it impossible to perform delicate magic like locating them, so Franka’s enchantment was their only hope of regrouping. From a strategic standpoint, it was wise for Franka to prioritize her own safety rather than recklessly wandering about.

Hiding from another wizard’s workshop was inherently challenging, but Franka was the West Witch’s apprentice.

Knowing precisely where the golden monkeys would search, it wasn’t too difficult to outwit them.

Franka’s judgment proved correct as lost little sheep gathered around her, using her as a beacon of hope.

She warmly embraced the weary and hurt, praising their efforts—

“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll slap you.”

“Yikes.”

Dorothea’s fierce glare abruptly cut off Franka’s lengthy explanation.

As if trying to shield the shrinking Franka, two golden monkeys stepped forward.

Gaining confidence from their protective stance, Franka spoke up once more in a cheeky manner.

“Why, what? I’m not wrong, am I? Without me, we wouldn’t have been able to gather—”

“Not me, but her.”

Dorothea pointed her staff at the Tin Knight, and this time, Franka fell completely silent.

Even the monkeys seemed to shrink back, sweating profusely.

Dorothea looked at them with disdain.

“Why make such a grand tale out of saying you were hiding in a refuge because you were scared of being discovered while waiting for someone to come?”

“I couldn’t help it! This is my master’s domain, and the creatures inside are like her vanguard! If I carelessly approach or fight, it’ll be like announcing my presence here! Of course, I have to be careful and move around!”

“……”

[‘…’ are you serious, two subordinates that just barged in every which way to get here are suddenly going to keep quiet?]

After a moment of silence, Dorothea cleared her throat and asked.

“So, did you really just hide and pass the time?”

“Of course not. I did make use of the time while waiting.”

As Franka signaled, a large golden monkey with insect wings swept aside the tent tucked away in the corner of their hideout.

What revealed itself inside was—

“…A boat? A wagon?”

“Both are correct. I made it amphibious.”

The lower part resembled a boat, but it had wheels on the sides, and at the front was something with a large ballista attached.

Additionally, it went without saying that every component was made of gold.

Dorothea narrowed her eyes.

“It seems like it could be useful, but is this the sort of thing you prepare so grandly for? After all, you alchemists can just whip up whatever on the spot, right?”

“That’s for consumables that can be used up instantly. A powerful tool infused with magical power can’t be created that way.”

Franka glared at the wheeled bag she usually carried.

Dorothea recalled seeing that bag filled with numerous gold blocks.

“If the standard state of a versatile catalyst is A, changing its shape to the pre-set B or C is quick and low on magical consumption. But the types of forms I can remember are limited, and for this sort of completely new form, I have to design a new one and adapt the catalyst.”

“Hmm.”

“What? Are you doubting it?”

“Not particularly. If that’s the case, it probably is.”

Dorothea didn’t dispute Franka’s explanation.

If Franka started yammering about necromancy or curses, she would be more than ready to chuckle at her.

It was only right to respect an expert in their field.

Perhaps sensing that, Franka’s tone relaxed a little.

“As expected, if my master is involved, the original exit has long been blocked. To get out of here, we have to take her down. Since it’s sunny now, once it gets dark, we’ll—”

“No, we’re moving right now.”

“What?”

Dorothea glanced at the bracelet on her wrist.

There were three strands of thread protruding from it; two pointed at Franka and the Tin Knight, while the other pointed away from this place.

“One of the strands disappeared while moving, and the other shifted direction significantly. They probably got captured and dragged away.”

“Wait, are you really jumping to conclusions based on the movement of a thread?”

“Neither this guy nor I saw a single golden monkey while coming to look for you. Unless someone distracted them and gathered them, it doesn’t make sense.”

Franka scowled but nodded eventually.

“…If one of your colleagues has indeed been captured, it’s better to hurry. They must know our position by now.”

“We can track their position while they search in the wrong areas, right?”

“It’s impossible to change effects without direct manipulation from a distance.”

Once the conclusion was reached, the action was swift.

In front of the golden wagon (amphibious), there were Franka and a monkey with bat wings.

In the center, the monkey with insect wings was on the pedals.

Lastly, at the rear, stood the Tin Knight and Dorothea, each in their respective positions.

As the insect-winged monkey pedaled energetically, the wheels began to turn vigorously, moving the wagon forward.

Since it was originally aimed toward the beach, the wagon plunged straight into the sea, but rather than sinking, it transformed.

Moreover, the wheels, which initially resembled those of a normal wagon, elongated sideways, taking on a shape reminiscent of a waterwheel.

Dorothea, who didn’t possess extensive knowledge about boats, had to admit that this ‘pedaling boat’ was exceptionally fast.

Dorothea said, “Tin can, or rather, you with bat wings, go catch a fish or two.”

-Urk?

The monkey glanced at Franka, seeking her approval, but once Franka nodded, it immediately dashed into the sea to snatch up some fish.

After taking out a knife, Dorothea cut open the fish’s belly to insert the golden thread bracelet she originally wore.

She told Franka, “Give me yours too.”

“…Do you even know how much this is worth?”

Even while grumbling, Franka seemed to think it was better than dying, so she willingly cooperated with Dorothea’s plan.

After a moment, two bait fish with the bracelets inside them were ready, and as Dorothea infused magic into them, the dead fish flopped around as if resurrected, diving into the sea.

“Just a moment of distraction should do.”

After some time passed…

The distant island finally came into view.

And so did dozens of golden monkeys soaring above it.

Dorothea squinted.

“Was the bait ineffective?”

“No.”

Franka refuted Dorothea’s words.

Her eyes were entangled with anxiety and determination.

“It definitely worked. The monkeys my master usually commands are ten times that number.”

[The ‘Tin Knight’ is wondering how three of him compares to several hundred of them—with that gap, isn’t there just too much of a difference?!]

If Franka had heard that, she would have been absolutely outraged, but Dorothea didn’t bother to relay it.

“How strong is each one?”

“In a one-on-one, my guys would win easily. They could handle two, maybe three. Anything more than that would be pushing it.”

Dorothea’s expression twisted.

In fact, the monkeys Franka handled were some of the higher tiers among the familiars wizards commanded.

Given that even just the visible fifty or so in the sky were on par with those, and counting in the total force being over ten times that number, it truly warranted an assessment as formidable.

Considering the West Witch also commanded other monsters aside from the monkeys, it became even more daunting.

‘As expected, it isn’t going to be easy.’

Just behind Dorothea, the Tin Knight stood tall.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ is fired up and determined to finish this once and for all!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ declares that it’s no fun if the same boss is defeated over three times, promising to deliver a beautiful blow!]

As always, it was the kind of crazy rambling that was hard to interpret.

But it was undeniably very much in line with a Tin Knight’s character.

Dorothea responded with a fierce smile.

The golden monkeys detected the intruders and charged toward them.

The ballista attached to the wagon fired arrows.

The second round of battle was about to begin.

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